Good Bye Diamond Light

Mollie's kitten, Diamond Light, formerly know as Gray, formerly know as Smokey, got into an altercation with a wild tomcat a couple of nights ago. She didn't really have any visible injuries to speak of but she definitely was not feeling good. We gave her a painkiller, antibiotics and kept giving her water with an eyedropper. This morning I thought she actually might pull out of it. But she didn't. When I told Mollie, it took a few minutes to sink in and then then crying began. She sat on the floor petting her and crying while my heart was crushed for her. However, this kid amazes me. Daddy told Mollie he would bury the cat after she went to bed. Mollie wouldn't have that. She had to be there. She carried her out and even placed her in the hole. I think she's going to grow up to be one tough cookie. She's sensitive to the animals but can handle the pain that goes along with having them. Maybe her mother could learn something from her.

Goodbye kitty, we will miss having to remove you from under the vehicle before backing out. We'll miss watching you chase grasshoppers and play with paper wrappers. We'll miss cradling you baby style on your back and they way you would always jump into the cat food container when we would go to fill your bowl. But most of all I'll miss watching Mollie put you into her "pack" on her scooter and ride around the barn singing from your perspective "goin' for a ride on my scooter and I don't even care". You were such a good kitty.

More Fair Highlights

Buggy Rides Given By Rhodesian Ridgebacks



Bodacious Bubbles



Wild West Comedy Show



BIG-eared Bunnies



Petting Snakes



Riding Donkeys



Washing Donkeys


Six Horse Draft Hitch


Racing Pigs


Midway Games


Midway Rides


State Fair Skyline

I know it sounds dorky but the State Fair is the highlight of my year (pretty sad, huh?!). We plan for it and work towards it for many weeks ahead of time and it's over so fast. If you are into any type of animals especially there are tons of great shows to see. Mollie of course loves it for the rides and candy. We are already planning for next year!

Surprise Tickets!

We had spent our last day (Friday) at the fair and Saturday I planned to catch up on everything when I got a phone call from a guy asking if I had called on the Brooks and Dunn tickets. I said I didn't but maybe my husband did?! I didn't know it but Jerry had been trying to get tickets and practically at the last minute found some. He used my phone to make the call but gave the guy his cell number. The guy just called my phone back instead. It kind of ruined the surprise but hey, we were going to Brooks and Dunn! I scrambled to find someone to watch Mollie and we left for the fair (again!). The concert was great. It seems like most of the time the artist is not as good in person than on the CD but this was not the case. I'm glad we got to go and at the State Fair. There is nothing better than a concert at the State Fair. It's fun to see all the rednecks come out of the wordwork!

Cowgirls Don't Cry...(we'll sometimes!)

It's all about the pictures, that's my motto. We put our first and only born child in harms way just for the pictures. When Mollie asked to do the Mutton Bustin' at the State Fair, is surprised us. I was secretly excited because I knew the pictures would be priceless but was nervous (I didn't let her know!) because I knew she would get hurt. We told her she would fall off but it was no big deal (that was our story and we were sticking to it!). I signed the release form in case she was killed by a runaway sheep and Daddy took her to wait in line. Meanwhile, I stood in the arena cheering her on with camera in hand and a pit in my stomach! Jerry later told me that after watching several other kids crash, burn and then cry, that she said she changed her mind. He had already put her on the "lambie" as he called it and said it would be fine (so much for protecting our child!)and they opened the gate. The sheep took off, (these sheep were fast, they were on a mission, no lollygagging around here...note the look of terror on her face and the wind in her hair in pic 2!) she held on for dear life and the look on her face was hysterical! (click on the pictures for a close up, it will brighten your day!) She hit her knee on the gate on the way out and held on as long as she could. I was proud, she made it halfway across the arena before she hit the dirt. I was whooping and hollering and she sat there and cried. Dad, who had been running after the sheep, scooped her up, dusted her off and the crying was over in a minute or two. I was glad there were no major injuries and proud that she had the gumption to go through with it. Later, at the midway, she kept telling kids in line about her riding the sheep. She was proud of herself but when we asked if she wanted to do it again she said, "No!" Maybe next year!

Show Preparation Highlights

Anyone who has showed knows that it takes countelss hours to get your animals ready. It's a long road to the State Fair and over much too soon. Here are a few pics of getting ready and passing the time before showtime.


Me and my "donkey mentor"


FILTHY cousins!


No Comment


Cloud was a little intimidated by her friendly neighbor


Washing Donks at 6:30 a.m.

Mammoth Donkey Show

Congratulations to my friend Jean for taking Reserve Champion with her BABY jack, Lucas at the State Fair. I can't wait to see what he does next year!

Baby Brosky

Meredith's donkey had her baby last week. This is Meredith's first baby as well as her donkey, Matilda's. Brosky, a jack, was born last Tuesday to Full Circle Farm Matilda and V-9 Red Rider. Both mother, step-mother (Meredith) and baby are doing well. The phone lines were burning up and the traffic on their road was fierce. Mother and baby received many visitors as well as hugs and kisses. The family is very proud of their new addition. I don't know who is more excited, Meredith or my sister!

State Fair Stats

Well we are back from the State Fair. We took 5 donkeys; all five placed and we came home with 11 ribbons. We had a great time visiting with our "donkey friends" we don't get to see very often as well as showing off our donkeys to the public while answering tons of questions. All of the donkeys did very well as well as Meredith and Michaela. The Jack in the Box did not fall apart in the show ring which was quite a relief to me. We had stiff competition, 17 great entries and were excited to take 2nd and 5th. We are already counting down to next year and trying to come up with costume ideas. If anyone has one, let me know! Maybe next year I'll start sooner than 2 weeks before the fair starts! Also, thanks to all our friends and familhat came out to support us and cheer us on!

W Bar C Storm Cloud:
4th Place Halter Jennet 3 and Older
5th Place Lead Race
Shown by Michaela



Full Circle Farm Maggie:
4th Place Costume Class
5th Place Trail Class
Shown by Meredith




Full Circle Farm Ruby:
4th Place Halter Jennet 2 and under


Bosco Bello Crystal:
2nd Place Costume Class
2nd Place Lead Race
3rd Place Halter Jennet 3 and over




V-9 Red Rider:
1st Place Jacks 3 and over
Runner Up Grand Champion
4th Place Color Class

Go Ahead...Laugh

We finally got the costume finished. Last Saturday when we went for a final fitting and test run it fell apart. After near tears, some bickering (o.k., tons)and LOTS OF DUCT TAPE AND ZIP TIES, I think we have it fixed! While fixing it Jerry said "and this is supposed to be fun?!" I replied "yes" but we weren't having any! I don't know why I torture myself with corny projects like this. You can tell by the look on Crystal's face she just LOVES wearing a box and a jester hat. However, being the great sport she is, she's walks when I ask her to (and hides her head in shame). If we make it around the show ring in one piece, I'll be thrilled. Oh, and a ribbon might not be too bad either!

Dr. Mollie At Your Service

Dr. Mollie started seeing patients yesterday. Her first..."Diamond Light" (can you believe a 4 year old came up with that one!), formerly know as "Gray", formerly known at "Smoky", had "two kinds of sick, one on one side and one on the other". Dr. Mollie prescribed several shots (and I mean SEVERAL) and a ride in the pack on the scooter. Patient is improving and Dr. Mollie's innovative approach is being celebrated in the medical community!

Sidenote: Mollie came out of the house wearing her "doctor coat" and ready for "doctoring". She bugged me most of the day for "real medicine". She couldn't understand why when I finally got her a syringe to play with that I took the needle off...she needed to give her cat a "real shot". I'm sure the cat appreciates me standing my ground. She does has the most tolerant cat though, she "doctored" her on the weight bench and the cat actually fell asleep while she was listening to it's heartbeat. It also has absolutely no problem being stuffed into the carry bag on the front of her scooter and whizzed around the barn. This cat is either amazing or not quite right!

Fountains of Fun

Powell Gardens has a beautiful fountain that kids (and adults) can cool off in. Mollie wanted to go so bad. I caved even though I knew she'd ride home sopping wet and soaking anything she touched (especially the carseat). She's not one to get water in her face and never runs through a sprinkler or fountain. She always skirts around the edges making sure no water splashes her face. Much to my surprise, she jumped right in and absolutely loved it, water in her face and all. She laughed so hard and squealed in delight. Oh to be that joyous and carefree again.